Dabbing brush



Oct. 19, 1954 Q ROWLAND ETAL 2,691,802

DABBING BRUSH Filed March 2, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/G/ 70 g; F/G. 2 63 nvvmvrons CLARENCE a. ROWLAND MICHAEL A. STROJNY TTORNEY Oct. 19, 1954 c, ROWLAND ET AL DABBING BRUSH Filed March 2, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 D V mv OAJ E T L O N -wm R s 0 :27 ma M H mm C m Patented Oct. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DABBING BRUSH Application March 2, 1949, Serial N 0. 79,126

(Cl. iii-"12%) 16 Claims. 1

The invention relates to a dabbing brush and more particularly to a dabbing brush of the type shown in the patent to Rowland, No. 2,367,650, dated January 16, 1945.

The procedure of conditioning fibrous material and transforming it into threads for use in the manufacture of fabrics, and particularly in the manufacture of woolens and worsteds, includes a series of steps of a combing nature each of which, commonly terminating in a carding operation, advances the mass toward a state in which such mass assumes a soft round flabby thread technically designated :as a sliver, which sliver is subsequently twisted into a harder threadlike form suitable for weaving purposes.

Gne form of a machine for performing a combing operation comprises a toothed ring of considerable diameter and a smaller toothed ring with its outer edge adjacent or in contact with the inner edge of the larger ring, the larger and smaller rings rotating in unison with the wool masses engaged with the projecting teeth on the said rings. The said masses are stretched and the fibers are pulled apart as the rings diverge during rotation. This combing operation involves the use of a dabbing brush which has a very rapid reciprocating movement toward and from the material upon the projecting teeth of the said rings. It is essential that the dabbing brush have a relatively large surface formed by the ends of closely arranged bristles projecting toward the toothed rings. The dabbing brush acts to thoroughly compact the material between the teeth of the rings so that, as the latter separate, the fibers are'not only stretched and drawn but are disposed in an orderly arrangement.

A brush embodying the present invention has all of the advantages set forth in the said patent and also has various additional advantages, one of which is that certain parts of the brush can more readily and more economically be removed and replaced or rearranged after wear, has occurred.

The toothed rings, which are above mentioned, move relatively longitudinally of the brush, the direction of movement being from the narrower heel portion of the brush to the wider main portion thereof. The result is that much greater wear occurs at the heel portion, the major portion of the wear frequently being concentrated in a narrow area extending longitudinally of the heel portion. The dabbi-ng brush shown in the :atoresaid patent comprises a plurality of transverse brush strips and after wear has occurred at the narrow heel portion, the worn brush strips constituting the heel portion can be removed and replaced. This involves the removal of all of the worn strips in the heel port-ion even though each strip may be excessively worn along only a small portion of its length. Furthermore, all of the strips are held by the same retaining means and it is necessary to release all of the strips in order to remove and replace only a few of them at the heel portion.

In accordance with the present invention the heel portion of the dabbing brush comprises relative short parallel strips which extend longitudinally and are at substantial angles to the main portion of the brush and are preferably perpendicular to the said main portion. The longitudinal heel strips are releasably held independently of the main brush portion, and any one strip can be removed and replaced independently of the others. Due to the fact that the toothed rings move generally longitudinally most of the wear may take place at only two or three strips which can be readily removed and replaced. Furthermore, a strip that has been worn to such an extent that it is no longer serviceable at the position of maximum wear may still be useful at a position of minimum wear. The present construction makes it easily possible for the several heel strips to be shifted as to relative positions without being replaced.

For the reasons stated a rdabbing brush embodying the invention makes possible a very considerable economy brush strip replacement. The longitudinal heel strips are relatively short therefore less costly .and at any one time it is ordinarily necessary to replace .only two or three of these short strips instead of perhaps six or more of the longer transverse strips as shown in the patent. Furthermore, the heel strips can be readily shifted from positions of maximum wear to positions of minimum wear before being finally discarded.

In addition to the relatively short removable and replaceable longitudinal heel strips, the invention comprises various combinations of parts including more particularly novel and advantageous retaining means tor the heel strips. The same retaining means preferably also :serves to retain the transverse strips constituting the main brush portion.

In the drawings we have shown in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction shown, and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims sponso s forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a face view of a dabbing brush embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view.

Fig. 3 is an end view, with a portion at the right in transverse section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line l& of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line I-l-5 of 1.

Fig. '3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with the retaining means in a fully open position and with only a portion of the brush strips in place.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to the lower part of Fig. 6 but with all of the brush strips in place and with the retainer in a position between its open position as shown in Fig. 6 and its closed position as shown in Fig. 1, this view being partly in section along the line 'l': of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, 28 represents a base which carries the bristles constituting the active part of the brush. The term bristles as herein used is intended to be used in a generic sense and to include vegetable fibers, artificial fibers, or any other brush material suitable for the purpose. In accordance with recognized practice in the dabbing brush art, the bristle area is relativeiy wide at one end and relatively narrow at the other end. The wider end portion will be designated as the main brush portion and the narrower end portion will be designated as the heel brush portion. The width of the heel brush portion is substantially the same as that or the adjacent end of the main brush portion which is ordinarily the narrower end. There is a dividing line between the said main and heel brush portions which dividing line extends transversely of J the length of the brush.

The main brush portion may be variously constructed but is preferably constructed in the manner to be hereinafter more specifically set forth. In accordance with one phase of the invention, the heel brush portion comprises a plurality of parallel closely adjacent narrow brush strips 22, 22 which extend generally longitudinally at substantial angles to the said dividing line between the two brush portions and are preferably perpendicular to the said line. As shown, there are ten heel brush strips 22 but the number is not so limited, but it is ordinarily necessary to provide at least three strips. Preferably the heel brush portion consists entirely of the said strips 22. The said heel brush strips 22 are removable from the main brush portion and are replaceable each independently of the other.

The heel brush strips 22 may be varied as to details, but preferably and as shown, each of them comprises a. relatively long and narrow metallic channel or holding member 2:2 which is generally U-shaped in cross section, a lengthwise core wire 26 within the channel or holding member M, and bristles 28 in a continuous lengthwise row doubled around the wire and extending forwardly from the mouth or channel of the holding member 26. The several brush strips are positioned with their holding members in contact with each other. As clearly shown in Fig. 5, each bristle holding member 2% extends at its ends beyond the bristles so as to be thus adapted for engagement by suitable retaining parts as hereinafter explained.

The holding members 24 of the brush strips 22 are positioned between side walls 30 and 32 I :led on the base fill, these side walls consti toting means in fixed relation to the main brush portion and adjacent the sides of the heel brush portion or limiting transverse movements of the heel brush strips. Means is provided for releasably engaging the end of the holding members to hold the brush strips in place. As shown in Fig. 5, each holding member 24 engages at its rear vith walls such as 34, 3 on the base 25). Depressions such as 35 may be formed in the base adjacent the walls M, 3 but these are solely for the purpose of reducing weight. Extending transversely of the base and carried by the side walls thereol is a bar 36 which is positioned at the front of the inner end portions of the holding members 24. The bar 36 is engageable with the front faces of the holding members 24 at the inner ends thereof adjacent the main brush portion and it thus serves to limit forward movement of the strips 22 at the said inner ends thereof. A movable retaining member 38 is provided which, when in operative position, engages the front of the holding members 24 at the other ends thereof to prevent forward movement of the strips 22 at their outer ends. Suitable provision is made as hereinafter more fully explained for preventing the bristle holding members 24 from moving longitudinally in the inward direction. The retaining member 38 when in operative position engages the outer end faces of the holding members it and prevents the said holding members from moving longitudinally in the outward direction.

The retaining member 38 is preferably pivotally connected with the base 20 and more particularly with the side wall 30 thereof. The retaining member carries hinge portions which ena pivot pin lit. At the end thereof opposite its pivotal connection at 46 the retaining member 38 is connected with a manually operable latch 32, the retaining member and the latch being pivotally connected with each other by means of a pivot pin 44. When in operative position the latch cooperates with the base 20 to hold the retaining member 38 in position to retain the brush strips 22, 22 in place as shown. Freferably the side wall 32 of the base carries an overhang d5 behind which the retaining member 23 is located when in operative position. The retaining member 38 and the latch 32 will be some times referred to collectively as retaining means.

The details of the latch 42 may be varied but preferably and as shown the latch is provided with a projection :55 which is formed and positioned to enter a notch 48 formed in the side wall 32 of the base preferably at the front. The notch Gt has an edge face 50 which is directly engageable by the corresponding edge of the latch projection it. The edge face 58 of the tch and the corresponding edge of the projecti. n. 3:; are so positioned and related as to pro vide a camrning action when the projection is pressed into the notch. This will be more apparent Irom an examination of Fig. 7 wherein the retaining member 33 is shown just out of its final brush strip retaining position. The projection 46 been partly but not fully entered in the notch As the latch is moved from the position shown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fig. 1, the retaining member 38 is drawn upward or inward being thus firmly pressed against the ends of the holding members 24 of the brush strips 22.

The latch it may be pressed manually into its final position as shown in Fig. 1. Preferably, however, a screw 52 is provided which is adapted to enter a threaded hole 54 in the side wall 32 of the base and to extend through an unthreaded countersunk hole 56 in the latch 42. In use the latch may be moved manually approximately to the position shown in Fig. '7 and then the screw 232 may be inserted and turned to draw the latch from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 1. Thus the screw 52 serves not only to draw the latch into its final position but also to hold it there.

Preferably the latch 42 is provided with an integral finger 58 which is positioned to project into and through an aperture to in the side wall 32 of the base. The finger 58 is of such size and is so positioned that it engages the holding momber '24 at the right side of the heel portion and presses against the said member as the latch is moved into its final position. The finger 58, by pressing against the holding member lit at the right, moves the said member toward the left,

thus causing the holding members 24 of all of the strips 22 to be pressed firmly into engagement with each other, the holding member at the left being pressed against the side wall 39 of the base.

As already stated, the main portion of the brush may be variously constructed, but it preferably comprises a plurality of transverse brush strips 62 which are or may be identical in construction with the brush strips 22 except as to differences in length. The transverse brush strips 62 are held in place by the side walls 30 and 32 and the base and by an end wall 63 on the base "at the end thereof opposite the heel portion. As shown in Fig. 4, each holding member 2t engages at its rear with walls such as El i, 64 on the base. A depression may be formed between the walls '64, M. but this is solely for the purpose of reducing weight. The side walls 36 and 32 have longitudinal interna1 grooves 85 and 66 therein adapted to receive the end portions of the holding members 24 of the brush strips 62. At the end adjacent the heel portion of the brush each groove '65 and 66 terminates at a shoulder 68 as more clearly shown in Fig. 6.

The several transverse brush strips 62 are of varying lengths to conform to the varying widths of the main portion of the brush. During assembly the brush strips at the end of the main brush portion remote from the heel portion are put in place singly one after the other, each strip being initially inserted in an angular position and then swung into parallelism with the end wall 83 so as to bring the end portions of its holding member into the grooves 65 and to. This procedure can be followed for all but the last few brush strips which cannot be inserted in the manner described. The before-mentioned notch 18 is of such depth and is so positioned as to leave the groove 6'6 open at the front near the heel portion. The last few brush strips 52 are assembled by moving the corresponding end portion of each holding member 24 through the space provided by the notch 58. Fig. 6 shows one brush strip 52 in an intermediate position, this brush strip having been inserted but not yet swung to its final position. When the brush strips 62 are all in place their holding members 2 3 are in engagement with each other as shown in Fig. '5.

The several brush strips 62 may be conveniently marked with numbers (not shown) which numbers indicate the lengths of the strips and their proper positions in the final assembly. The side wall 32 may carry a series of numerals as shown, these numerals on the side wall correspending to the numerals on the brush strips. These corresponding numerals on the brush strips and on the side wall serve to indicate to the workman who is assembling the brush the required sequence in which the brushes must be inserted.

When all of the brush strips s2 have been put in place the last brush strip which is immediately adjacent the position of the heel brush strips 22 is also adjacent the before-mentioned shoulders lit at the ends of the grooves 65 and 65. The last said brush strip is engageable with the said shoulders 6-8 so as to be positioned thereby. The end wall 63 of the base is provided with a threaded aperture in which a screw Hi is entered. After all of the brush strips 62 are in place the screw iii is tightened to apply pressure to the holding member of the end brush strip. The pressure applied by the screw iii is transmitted through the holding members 24 of all of the brush strips 62 to maintain the said holding members in firm engagement with each other and to hold the inner brush strip in place against the shoulders es. With the brush strips 62 thus held in place, the holding member of the brush strip which is adjacent the heel portion and which is in engagement with the shoulders '63 serves as an abutment for the holding members 2 3 of the heel brush strips 22 thus serving to preventlongitudinal inward movement of the said brush strips 22.

As will be clearly apparent from Figs. 2 and 5, the bristles of the longitudinal heel strips 22 and of the transverse main strips 62 spread sufficiently to meet at the face of the brush at the front of the transverse bar it. Thus the bristles oi the two sets of strips cooperate to provide a continuous bristle face.

The before-described projection it on the latch t2 not only serves as already described to cam the retaining member 38 into its final position and to hold it in such position but also serves to close the opening at the front of the groove 66. As has been stated, the last few brush strips t2 must be inserted by moving the ends of their holding members through the notch is. .I-Iowever, after the brush strips are in place and after the latch has been moved to its operative position, as shown in Fig. l, the projection 46 serves to close the notch and to thus prevent any possible removal of any of the brush strips 62.

When it is necessary or desirable to replace or rearrange any of the heel brush strips 22, it is merely necessary to move the retaining means to approximately the position shown in Fig. '6. The strips .22 are then free and can be replaced or shifted as required. The main brush strips remain in place as they areclamped by the screw "ill. When the retaining means is restored to the position shown in 1, the heel strips 22 are locked in place as already described and at the same time the projection E6 locks the main brush strips 62 in place. Without the projection E5, the brush strips 62 might work loose during brush reciprocation, notwithstanding the clamping thereof by thescrew lll.

The main brush strips 62 require less frequent replacement, but some or all of them canbe removed and replaced at any time, it being only necessary to release the pressure applied by the screw "It and to move the latch sufficiently to withdraw the projection QB from the notch it.

What is claimed is:

1. A dabbing brush including 'a main brush portion and an immediately adjacent heel brush portion with a dividing line between the two portions extending transversely of the length of the brush which heel brush portion has a width substantially equal to the width of the main brush portion at the immediately adjacent end thereof, the said heel brush portion consisting entirely of parallel narrow closely adjacent brush strips at least three in number and identical in size and shape and each having a narrow rear bristle holding member and a continuous lengthwise row of bristles projecting forwardly therefrom which heel brush strips are substantially perpendicular to the said dividing line with their holding members closely adjacent each other, means engaging the ends of the bristle holding members of the several heel brush strips for releasably retaining the said strips in place, and means engaging the bristle holding member of the heel brush strip at one side of the heel portion for applying transverse pressure so as to maintain the holding members of all of the heel brush strips in their closely adjacent relationship.

2. A dabbing brush including a main brush portion and an immediately adjacent heel brush portion with a dividing line between the two portions extending transversely of the length of the brush, the said main brush portion consisting entirely of a large plurality of separate brush strips parallel with each other and with the said dividing line and each having a narrow rear bristle holding member and a continuous lengthwise row of bristles projecting forwardly therefrom which strips have their holding members closely adjacent each other and the said heel portion consisting entirely of a large plurality of separate parallel brush strips at a substantial angle to the said dividing line and each having a narrow rear bristle holding member and a continuous lengthwise row of bristles projecting forwardly therefrom which strips have their holding members closely adjacent each other, means engaging the brush strip of the main portion which is at the end of the said portion remote from the heel portion for applying longitudinal pressure toward the heel portion so as to maintain the bristle holding members of all of the said brush strips of the main portion in their closely adjacent relationship, means engaging the ends of the bristle holding members of the brush strips of the heel portion for releasably retaining the last said brush strips in place, and means engaging the bristle holding member of the brush strip of the heel portion at one side of the said heel portion for applying transverse pressure so as to maintain the holding members of all of the brush strips of the heel portion in their closely adjacent relationship.

3. A dabbing brush as set forth in claim 2, wherein the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the brush strips of the heel portion directly abut against the bristle holding member of the adjacent brush strip of the main portion.

4. A dabbing brush including a base having forwardly extending longitudinal side walls, a main brush portion comprising a pliuality of separate narrow transverse brush strips having bristle holding members located between the side walls of the base, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow interchangeable and replaceable longitudinal brush strips which heel strips have bristle holding members located between the side walls of the base and having their inner ends close to the bristle holding member of the adjacent brush strip of the main portion, a transverse bar carried by the base side walls at the front thereof and located adjacent the last said strip of the main brush portion, the said bar being engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips for limiting for- Ward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, and a retaining member releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips for preventing forward movement of the strips at the said outer ends and for also preventing outward longitudinal movement of the said heel brush strips.

5. A dabbing brush including a base provided with forwardly extending longitudinal side walls having longitudinal internal grooves therein which grooves terminate at oppositely disposed abutments adjacent the heel end of the brush, a main brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow transverse brush strips having bristle holding members located with their ends in the grooves in the side walls of the base, means for pressing the bristle holding members of the said brush strips longitudinally of the main brush portion so that the holding member at the heel end is engaged with and positioned by the aforesaid abutments, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow inter-- changeable and replaceable longitudinal brush strips which heel strips have bristle holding members located between the side walls of the base with their imier ends abutting against the bristle holding member of the last said brush strip of the main portion, a transverse bar carried by the base side walls at the front thereof and located adjacent the last said strip of the main brush portion, the said bar being engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, and a retaining member releasably engaging the front faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips to prevent forward movement of the strips at the said outer ends, the said retaining member cooperating with the bristle holding member of the last said main brush strip to prevent longitudinal movement of the said heel brush strips.

6. A dabbing brush including a base, a main brush portion carried by the base, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the adjacent edge of the main brush portion which heel strips have bristle holding members, and an articulate retaining means movably connected with the base, the said retaining means when in one position permitting removal and replacement of the heel brush strips and when in another position serving to apply endwise and lateral pres sure to the bristle holding members of the said strips so that the said strips are held in place.

7. A dabbing brush including a base, a main brush portion carried by the base, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the adjacent adjacent edge of the main brush portion which heel strips have bristle holding members, means carried by the base and engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near one side thereof for releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips to prevent forward movement of the strips at the said outer ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said heel br h tr s, and a manually op rable means accessible at the opposite side of the base for locking the retaining member in its strip retaining position.

8. A dabbing brush including a base, a main brush portion carried by the base, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the adjacent edge of the main brush portion which heel strips have bristle holding members, means carried by the base and engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near one side thereof for releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips to prevent for ward movement of the strips at the said outer ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said heel brush strips, and means carried by a portion of the retaining member remote from the pivot and operable with the said retaining member in retaining position for engaging the bristle holding member at one side to apply pressure so as to maintain all of the said holding members in firm engagement with each other.

9. A dabbing brush including a base, a main brush portion carried by the base, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the adjacent edge of the main brush portion which heel strips have bristle holding members, means carried by the base and engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near one side thereof for releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips, the said retaining member when in retaining position serving to prevent forward movement of the strips at the said outer ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said heel brush strips, and a manually operable latch pivotally connected with the retaining member and cooperating with the base to hold the retaining member in its retaining position.

10. A dabbing brush including a base, a main brush portion carried by the base, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the adjacent edge of the main brush portion which heel strips have bristle holding members, means carried by the base and ensageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near one side thereof for releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips, the said retaining memher when in retaining position serving to prevent forward movement of the strips at the said outer ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said heel. brush strips, a manually operable latch pivot-ally connected with the retaining member and cooperative with the base to hold the retaining member in its retaining position, and a finger on the latch positioned for engagement with the bristle holding member at the 10 adjacent side when the latch is moved to its latching position, the said finger upon movement of the latch to its latching position serving to apply pressure to the last said holding member so as to maintain all of the said holding members in firm engagement with each other.

11. A dabbing brush including a base having a notch therein at one side which notch has an edge face, a main brush portion carried by the base, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the adjacent edge of the main brush portion which heel strips have bristle holding members, means carried by the base and engagea-ble with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near the side thereof opposite the said notch for releasably engaging the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips, the said retaining member when in retaining position serving to prevent forward movement of the stri at the said outer ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said brush strips. a manually operable latch pivotally connected with the retaining member, and a projection on the latch positioned to enter the notch in the base and to engage the said edge face of the notch, the said projection and notch face servin as the latch is moved to its latching p sition to cam the retaining member into its retaining position.

12. A dabbing brush including a base having a notch therein at one side which notch has an edge face, a main brush portion carried by the base, a, heel brush portion comprising a plurality of separate narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the adjacent edge of the main brush portion which heel strips have bristle holding members, means carried by the base and engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near the side thereof opposite the said notch for releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips, the said retaining member when in retaining position serving to prevent forward movement of the strips at the said outer. ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said brush strips, a manually operable latch pivotally connected with the retaining member, a projection on the latch positioned to enter the notch in the base and to ensage the said edge face of the notch, the said projection and notch face serving as the latch is moved to its latching position to cam the retaining member into its retaining position, and a finger on the latch positioned for engagement with the bristle holding member at the adjacent side, the said finger upon movement of the latch to its latching position serving to apply pressure to the last said holding member so as to maintain all of the said holding members in firm engagement with each other.

13. A dabbing brush including a main brush portion comprising a plurality of removable nar row brush strips extending transversely of the length of the brush, a heel portion comprising a plurality of removable narrow longitudinal brush strips, and manually operable articulated retaining means serving in one position to retain all of the brush strips in place, the said retaining means when in another position permitting the removal of all of the brush strips.

14. A dabbing brush including a base provided with forward extending longitudinal side walls having longitudinal internal grooves therein which grooves are closed at the front except for a notch in one of them adjacent the heel end of the brush, a main brush portion comprising a, plurality of narrow transverse brush strips having bristle holding members located with their ends in the grooves in the side walls of the base, some of the said strips being insertable and removable only by moving the ends of their holding members through the said notch, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the strips of the main portion which heel strips have bristle holding members located between the side walls of the base, means carried by the base and engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near the side thereof opposite the said notch for releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips, the said retaining mem her when in retaining position serving to prevent forward movement of the strips at the said outer ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said heel brush strips, a manually operable latch pivotally connected with the retaining member, and a projection on the latch positioned to enter the aforesaid notch when the latch is in latching position and thereby serving to close the notch and thus retain the strips of the main brush portion in place.

15. A dabbing brush including a base provided with forward extending longitudinal side walls having longitudinal internal grooves therein which grooves are closed at the front except for a notch in one of them adjacent the heel end of the brush which notch has an edge face, a main brush portion comprising a plurality of narrow transverse brush strips having bristle holding members located with their ends in the grooves in the side walls of the base, some of the said strips being insertable and removable only by moving the ends of their holding members through the said notch, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the strips of the main portion which heel strips have bristle holding members located between the side walls of the base, means carried by the base and engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near the side thereof opposite the said notch for releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips, the said retaining member when in retaining position serving to prevent forward movement of the strips at the said outer ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said heel brush strips, a manually operable latch pivotally connected with the retaining member, and a projection on the latch positioned to enter the aforesaid notch when the latch is in latching position, the said projection serving to close the notch and to thereby prevent removal of any of the strips of the main brush portion and the said projection and notch face serving as the latch is moved to its latching position to cam the retaining member into its retaining position.

1''. A dabbing brush including a base provided with forward extending longitudinal side walls having longitudinal internal grooves therein which grooves are closed at the front except for a notch in one of them adjacent the heel end of the brush, a main brush portion comprising a plurality of narrow transverse brush strips having bristle holding members located with their ends in the grooves in the side walls of the base, some of the said strips being insertable and removable only by moving the ends of their holding members through the said notch, a heel brush portion comprising a plurality of narrow brush strips substantially perpendicular to the strips of the main portion which heel strips have bristle holding members located between the side walls of the base, means carried by the base and engageable with the front faces of the inner ends of the bristle holding members of the heel strips to limit forward movement of the strips at the said inner ends, a retaining member pivoted to the base near the side thereof opposite the said notch for releasably engaging the front and outer faces of the outer ends of the bristle holding members of the heel brush strips, the said retaining member when in retaining position serving to prevent forward movement of the strips at the said outer ends and to also prevent longitudinal movement of the said heel brush strips, a manually operable latch pivotally connected with the retaining member, a projection on the latch positioned to enter the aforesaid notch when the latch is in latching position, the said projection serving to close the notch and to thereby prevent removal of any of the strips of the main brush portion, and a projection on the latch positioned for engagement with the bristle holding member of the heel strip at the adjacent side when the latch is moved to its latching position, the said projection serving to apply pressure to the last said holding member so as to maintain all of the said heel strip holding members in firm engagement with each other.

References Gited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,352,431 Hardy June 27, 1944 2,367,650 Rowland Jan. 16, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,466 Great Britain of 1909 

